Since 1987, the Distinguished German-American of the Year award has provided national recognition for outstanding leadership and achievement of an American of German-speaking ancestry in business, the arts, education, science, politics, and society. The Distinguished German-American of the Year Award is presented annually at a special event of the Council of 1000. The Council of 1000 is a special donor recognition level of the German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA. Distinguished German-American of the Year * 2015 Douglas R. Oberhelman * 2014 Helge H. Wehmeier * 2013 Bern E. Deichmann * 2012 Walter Staib * 2011 Robert B. Zoellick * 2010 Paul Volcker * 2009 William R. Timken * 2008 Dr. Jesco von Puttkamer † * 2007 Margrit B. Krewson † * 2006 General H. Norman Schwarzkopf † * 2005 Dr. Günter Blobel * 2004 Albert Wurz * 2003 Walter Brand * 2002 Dr. Don Heinrich Tolzmann * 2001 Detlef "Ted" Hierl † * 2000 John Patrick Schmitz * 1999 C. John Muller * 1998 Dr. Otto I. Walter * 1997 Gerald R. Kainz * 1996 Bruno Karnas * 1995 Hon. William Hetzler * 1994 Doris Meissner * 1993 Dr. George J. Beichl * 1992 Heinz C. Prechter† * 1991 Albrecht Maier * 1990 Eric Braeden * 1989 Werner Fricker * 1988 Hon. Ruth E. Denk * 1987 Karl Ehmer